To the readers,
I want to take this opportunity to once again thank you for choosing to read my story. With the response gained from Battle of the Sacred Essences when it started back in November of 2003, I have been "persuaded" by many to continue the story. Giving into the mass of emails and PMs I've received since then the first BOSE concluded, at long last I can give you its sequel. Again, hints of other movies, games etc may be cross-referenced as in BOSE (just to keep fans on their toes) but I'm trying to keep it as original as possible. For the first few chapters, there may not seem to be an awful lot of LBT related action but don't worry, it will have a much greater part later in the story. Promise! Anyway, enough talk. Here, for you, is the sequel to the story that all you readers made a success. Again, thank you for your contributions!
Enjoy!
Thunderblade
Prologue: A Stranger's Message
"Hey…you…! You there! You've heard of it haven't you? You've heard of the story? The tale foretelling the legend of the sacred lights. The destined battle where the sacred ones, selected by fate, fought against the deadliest of enemies to re-establish the world's natural balance. The perfection of yin and yang that allows our world to function and maintains our lives as we blindly carry out our existence from one day to the next. The stuff of honourable legend, almost fairy tale. Did you believe it? I didn't believe it. I didn't want t believe it. I thought of it as mere fantasy myself…that was, however, until I was involved. I was locked in a duel to preserve not only the very things I cared for…but for the well-being of every single living creature that stood on the Earth. I was a guardian responsible for ensuring that that delicate balance did not collapse. I never asked for it. I didn't want the responsibility of it all once I found out but more importantly…I didn't want the shame of knowing that if I failed…life's burning flame would be extinguished indefinitely. I just wanted to live my own life as I pleased. Not to be part of some crappy script the mystics had written for me. I don't buy into crap like that. But I quickly discovered that once I knew about it…I had no choice. I had to fight…and I fought. If I didn't…I'd have been killed and those alongside me. Me, my friends, and everyone I cared about and even more besides. An inescapable fate. But given the weird and wonderful friends I've met along the way, there was no way I was going to let that happen…not if I knew I could do something about it.
Still, you know of the legend right? The three sacred lights? The lights that represented an essence essential to life. Lights that harnessed the potential to construct the greatest power in the known universe according to some random research carried out by humans. The golden pyramid of purified energy born from the merging of the three sacred lights. A limitless power source to accomplish any task a mind sees fit whether that mind was aided by a pure heart or clouded by a twisted nature. Those three souls fought valiantly over many terrains, through the natural passage of time's flow and even in death to protect us all. A battle of the prehistoric past that spanned two realms; its events chronicled but believed by no one. But thinking about it…is that such an ignorant view though? A destined struggle of power that took place over sixty-five million years ago could forge and protect the very world that we live in to this very day? What sane person could ever believe such a thing?! Like I said…I didn't. That was until I was thrown in the deep end. Forced to defend a prophecy I didn't want to accept in the first place. But…it changed me. I discovered so much about the legend. Maybe a little too much for my own good. I found out that not only was the legend of the Battle of the Sacred Essences true, but there was a lot more to it than what was initially spoken of. A hell of a lot more.
Something was missing. A piece of the story that was not told; left out. On purpose? I don't know. I doubt anyone does. But all I do know is…the legend was a message. When a person stands before the light of personal desire, they cast a shadow that grows behind them as they edge closer to it. Darkness born from the ones blinded by the light they seek. A demon buried deep within every one of us that, at any moment, could pounce and overcome what we portray as our nature to those we know. The legend's fateful cry…its message. A warning…something dark; something evil was coming. Something spawned from the unfinished tale. The Battle of the Sacred Essences was not over. The prophecy was incomplete as was the balance's restoration. Man's greed was to bring forth a terrible omen that sought to wipe us out indefinitely…or entomb us all into an eternity of slavery. The ultimate price to pay. Whether you believe in the legend or not, you can be sure…your existence was on the line. They fought to protect the balance unknowingly to the eyes of non-believers. I can safely say that I'm grateful. Grateful I could do my part in contributing to the legend as well as doing it in honour of trusting its ancient words. I believe now with every fibre of my being.
What's that? How do I know all this? I happen to be one of those lights foretold in the prophecy…
Who am I you ask?...
Would you believe me if I told you?..."